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Finding joy in this ordinary, imperfect life

Tag Archives: gift

Children are going back to school…from kindergarten to college. As a parent of three kids I worry about the world they live in and the influences that bombard them every day. We go to church as a family on Sundays. What happens during the week? What about when they leave home and go off to college. We parents can’t be with our children 24 hours a day and we need the support of others to help disciple our children.
Today’s Joy Dare Challenge is naming three gifts of discipleship. I am so blessed to be living where I do.

337. Broadcast. The Broadcast Movement is the name of the youth group at our church. We are so blessed to have solid leadership that teaches, encourages and challenges our 7th thru 12th graders. Being a small group leader, keeps me young at heart.

338. SCBEST. Yup, middle school and high school students can receive bible instruction at a public school during school hours. Spartanburg County Bible Education in School Time is not a kum-ba-ya type of class. It is straight up bible teaching. The class is not allowed to be done on school grounds, so a SCBEST van picks the kids up during school and takes them to a nearby church for the class. No public funds are used. All funds come from private donors. For my children to have the opportunity to not only learn how to write a paper, algebra, history, but also to learn the bible in their great public school is such a gift.

339. Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Teachers, youth pastors and students meet before school for praise songs, prayer and encouragement once a week. FCA brings together students from different backgrounds, race, and churches to worship under one cross.

340. CRU. One of the many college organizations passionate about connecting students to Jesus Christ is CRU. Formally known as Campus Crusade for Christ, CRU not only encourages the kids through small group bible studies, but it equips them for leadership and evangelism. For a kid in college to keep his faith alive is hard. In fact at least 80% of college students fall away from their beliefs. That is a scary number. And yet, here is an organization that is doing a great job reaching out to this young generation and bringing them or keeping them close to Christ.

When our babies leave the nest and go off to spread their wings, it can send fear in a momma’s heart. For my children to know that Jesus doesn’t just exist on Sunday mornings, but every day and every second of the day. And to have organizations that devote their time to loving and encouraging the young folk makes me so happy.

Like this:

It’s that time of year…Graduation! My son graduates from high school tonight. He has two buddies that he has known since first grade so I wanted to do something a little more “special” for them. What to do….what to do. They’re guys. They don’t do cutesy, matching bedding for the dorm or picture frames or scrapbooks, etc…Heck, Adam is going to The Citadel, so there’s definitely no decorating going on. Just white t-shirts, black socks and a good attitude.

I asked Adam what guys would like. His answer was “Money is always good.” I didn’t want to just write a check…too boring. Pinterest! oh Yea! I found just what I was looking for- something kind of fun and goofy, yet very appreciated.

A money box.

You will need: small box, colored paper, scotch tape, and dollar bills

Decide how much money you want to give. Go to bank and get it in one dollar denominations. The more, the better!

Tape the bills end to end.

See how cool lonnnng can be?

Cut a slit in the top of your box to accommodate the width of a dollar bill.

I taped a message to the end of the line of money.

Roll it up, starting with the note first.

Place roll in box, with end poking through the slot. I added a little dot to the end that says “pull”. (Duh. I know, but it looks cute.) I had to tape the lid, so it wouldn’t bend in. You may have a separate box lid, which you would want to tape down too.

Because this is a graduation gift I put a grad cap with tassel on top. Birthday gift? What about a cute flower? Train? Lion? Or butterfly? I cut a band of colored paper to wrap around the box to cover the slot. This is glued in such a way that it can be slid off to expose the money hanging out. The grad cap on top is only a square, with a brad in the middle.

I made a tassel out of colored embroidery thread.

A foam dot raised it up a bit.

Thinking that the white box needed some shuzzing up, I put this awesome sticky paper around the sides. It is much like washi tape, but comes in a sheet. (I got it from Target….yes!)